America, I love you. Please say you love me, too.

It’s hard to find the right words to say exactly how I feel, but I’m going to try. Last night, when you told me that you didn’t love me anymore, it was the worst thing you could have ever said, America. It nearly killed me.

But, waking up this morning, I refuse to believe you really meant it. If you did mean it — if you do mean it — then that would mean I never knew you at all. And that is something I cannot accept.

Yes, times have been tough and I have seen the flashes of hate behind your eyes. I know I’m not perfect and can be distant, but we’re supposed to be in this together, right? We both want the same things.

Not everything has to be so black and white all the time.You’re not blue and I’m not red; you’re not an angel and I’m not the devil. Remember when we first started out that we agreed that we’d stick together through thick and thin; through sickness and in health?

I’m willing to work on this if you are. Let’s go “out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing,” as Rumi says, and meet out in the field to get to work. Let’s lay down our weapons and rediscover our love.

If not for me, please just give it another try for all of our children, America.

I am you and you are me…. and I love you, America. Please say you love me, too.